Childcare Choices in the UK, a complete guide

Are you eligible for 15 hours childcare for your nine month old?

Eligible working parents have until August 31st to apply for 30 hours childcare from September 2025. Don’t worry if you already claim 15 hours as a working parent - your code will work from September provided your eligibility remains the same.

Check your eligibility

As a parent, your child’s wellbeing is always a top priority, and that includes making sure they receive the best care possible. But, with numerous childcare options and financial support schemes available, navigating what’s available can be a bit overwhelming.

A recent survey by Mumsnet revealed that since the beginning of 2023, our Talk boards had over 100 million pageviews related to childcare conversations by our users - a testament to how important and widespread this topic is among parents and families in the UK. In fact, the survey found that 66% of working parents with a child aged 0 to 12 years old are on the lookout for childcare support.

Now, we know there are financial support options out there, but some simply don’t know what support they might be eligible for. So, in this guide, we break down the different types of childcare schemes available in the UK to help you better understand what financial support you may be entitled to.

What is Childcare Choices?

Childcare Choices brings together all the financial support available to parents in one place, helping families across the UK to find out what support is on offer for them.

Many families may be missing out because they are unaware that they qualify for financial support.

And after Jeremy Hunt revealed in his 2023 spring budget that he was bringing in changes to support from 2024, even more working parents have benefited as childcare support has been rolled out to children as young as nine months.

The support is not just limited to nurseries or childminders. For families who require wraparound care, support may also be available for breakfast clubs, after-school activities, holiday clubs, and play schemes.

The Childcare Choices website allows you to enter your details and find advice on the support you might be entitled to. It also offers clear advice on how to apply and you can subscribe to their newsletter for regular updates on upcoming changes.

What childcare schemes currently exist in England?

In England, there are several government funding schemes available to help families with childcare costs, including: 15 hours childcare, 30 hours childcare, Tax-Free childcare (which can also be used for wraparound care), Universal Credit childcare and free breakfast clubs.

All childcare financial schemes are designed to give families a helping hand with costs, making it easier for parents to work while making sure their children get the best care available.

It’s worth mentioning that not all of the above offers are available everywhere in the UK. So, if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can find information about similar schemes on the website.

Visit Childcare Choices for more information

15 hours childcare

Parents of three to four year olds can access 15 hours childcare, and all families are entitled to this offer irrespective of their income level, benefits status or family circumstances. Eligible working parents, however, can access 15 hours from nine months old right now.

With this scheme you can get 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year (up to 570 hours), though many providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ your hours across more weeks to give you more flexibility. This financial support can start the term after your child turns three with an approved childcare provider.

You can still get 15 hours childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Childcare Vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare, meaning you could save even more money. You will need to reconfirm your details every three months on your gov.uk account to continue receiving the government support.

How to apply for 15 hours childcare

Visit the Childcare Choices website to find out what support you could be eligible for, using our handy checker
Find a nursery school place or registered childminder near you that meets your needs
Check your eligibility for additional help when paying for childcare, including Tax-Free Childcare, tax credits and Universal Credit
Apply online at GOV.UK

Remember, you’ll need to update your details on your GOV.UK account if your circumstances change and you’re receiving tax credits or Universal Credit. If you already have a Tax-Free Childcare account and have recently reconfirmed your eligibility, read this Education Hub blog for more information.

Learn more about 15 hours childcare

New in 2025: 30 hours childcare from nine months old

If you are an eligible working parent in England, you might be able to claim for 30 hours for children aged from nine months old up to school age.

The 30 hours scheme is currently available to working families with three and four year olds in England, which will be extended to nine month olds and above from September 2025. To be eligible, each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours/week at national minimum wage but under £100,000 adjusted net income/year

From September 2025, eligible working families in England with babies aged nine months old and above will be able to access 30 hours childcare each week for 38 weeks of the year. That is a total of 1,140 hours per year that can be used flexibly across one or more approved childcare providers. Your chosen childcare provider may also allow you to ‘stretch’ your hours over the year to cover holidays.

Your eligibility depends on whether you’re working (employed, self-employed, or a director), your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one), your child’s age and circumstances surrounding your immigration status.

If you're not working but your partner is, you may still be eligible if you receive Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Limited Capability for Work Benefit or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.

You can still get 30 hours childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Childcare Vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare, meaning you could save even more money.

Your child must live with you to claim the hours and you must have a National Insurance number and at least one of the below:

British or Irish citizenship.
Settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision.
Permission to access public funds. Your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this.

How to apply for 30 hours childcare

Visit the Childcare Choices website to find out what support you could be eligible for, using our handy checker
Find a nursery school place or registered childminder near you that meets your needs
Check your eligibility for additional help when paying for childcare, including Tax-Free Childcare, tax credits and Universal Credit
Apply online at GOV.UK

Wraparound childcare

Since September 2024, more wraparound childcare places have become available for families to access.

Wraparound childcare means before and after school childcare for primary school aged children in England.

When: Typically from 8am until 6pm, during term time
Where: School site, or another local setting like a community centre, a nursery, or a childminder
Fees: Providers set their own fees, so prices will vary
Who is eligible: all parents in England with primary school aged children are eligible to access wraparound childcare

It’s important to note that wraparound childcare is different from out-of-school activities or afterschool clubs, which are less frequent or can be a one-off extracurricular activity.

Finally, if you are eligible, you’ll also be able to use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare to help pay for your place (more on these below).

How to apply for wraparound childcare

Find out more by speaking to your child’s school or local authority’s Family Information Service.

Learn more about wraparound care

Free breakfast clubs

The government’s new breakfast club scheme has already seen 750 schools adopt a 30 minute session before school that provides children with a free breakfast so they start every day ready to learn.

Since the Easter holidays, around 180,000 students in the most disadvantaged communities are now able to access free breakfast clubs. The 750 schools are based across nine regions in England and are being funded by the government to provide this service, which is available to all children in each setting.

This has been the first phase of a national roll out, which will see free breakfast clubs in every primary school in due course.

Learn more about free breakfast clubs

Tax-Free Childcare

Eligible working families can use Tax-Free Childcare to help with childcare costs for school holiday clubs, breakfast or after school clubs, childminders or nurseries.

It provides working families with up to £2,000 a year per child off their childcare bills for children up to the age of 11, or £4,000 a year up to the age of 16 if their child has a disability.

For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive a top up from the government of £2. Using the tax-free top up, your family can save up to £500 every three months for each child or £1,000 if your child is disabled.

Click here for more information

Universal Credit

This offer applies to eligible working parents claiming Universal Credit in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own arrangements.

You can qualify if your child is 17 and under. Parents need to be working or fall under one of the allowable exceptions. This offer enables parents to claim back up to 85% of childcare costs. For parents about to start work or increase their hours, upfront support is also available.